Stranding machine



July 28, 1936. G. G. GREENE STRANDING MACHINE Filed May 3, 1955 .T l.. H l L E E .Il (E m www@ w w L 6 w wd w w w W 6 N @N .w ./NN/ mw -l l ZJ 0 o nwm o ww. ww m ww www.. www www www@ w\ w\ fw. ww w\ uw UH w mw wm ww ww l mm E EL uw Q ww ww w w Lv ww .Wwwwhwww w www. MH mw. E .M Nw m@ .QN Q. v |WMI.: l g MW ww dr www ww ww ww L ww. ww ww Nw, ww Mlwwww July 28, 1936. G. G. GREN 2,049,258

STRANDING MACHINE Filed May 3, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JUYZS, 1936- G. G. GREENE STRANDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 5, 1935 /1 el, *01 (fr:

Patented July 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STRANDING MACHINE Sey Application May 3, 1935, Serial No. 19,723

10 Claims.

This invention relates to stranding machines such as are used in the wire rope art.

Such a machine conventionally includes a die, a rotary Wire feeder associated with this die, a drive for this feeder, and a puller for pulling wires from .the feeder through the die; and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improvement in the mechanical devices which inter-associate these various elements. Other objects may be inferred.

An example of a stranding machine embodying the principles of the present invention is diagrammatically illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan showing a stranding machine of the type used to form stone sawing strand, the various mechanical devices which interassociate the conventional parts of this machine being spread out in the interests of clarity.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine.

Figure 3 is a cross-section taken from the line III-III in Figure 1.

Y Figure 4 is a, cross-section taken from the line IV^IV in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a cross-section taken from the line V-V in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a cross-section taken from the line VI-#VI in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a front view of the die.

Figure 8 is a section of this die from the line VIII-VIII in Figure 7.

Referring more particularly to the drawings:

The machine is conventional insofar as it includes a rotary frame I in which cradles 2 are pivoted so as to swivelly carry spools of wire 3,

wire from the latter and from a swift 4 being led subject matter of the present invention. 'I'he remainder of the specification is devoted to a disclosure of their character and function.

A motor I is coupled to a drive shaft II to which one of thev planet gears I2 of planetary gearing is keyed. The epicyclic train I3 of this gearing is journaled in a cage I4, and the other planet gear I of this gearing is keyed to a shaft I6.

The shaft I6 is keyed to gears I1 and I8, the former transmitting power to a pinion I9 by way of an idler gear 20, and the latter meshing directly with a pinion 2|. Both pinions rotate freely on a shaft 22 to which a third pinion 23 is keyed. This pinion 23 may be coupled to either of the pinions I9 or 2| by means of clutches 24 and 25 which are under the control of a shaft 26. Furthermore, the pinion 23 meshes with a gear 21 which is connected to rotate the frame I and the twister head 5. This arrangement forms a reversing mechanism associated with the feeder.

A sleeve 28 has one end keyed to the cage I4, 15

rotates freely on the shaft I6 and carries a gear 29 on its opposite end, this gear meshing with another gear 30 which is rotatively connected with a pinion 3 I. The latter meshes with a gear 32 which is carried by a sleeve 33 mounted by a 20 shaft 34 for free relative rotation.

The sleeve 33 also carries a Geneva wheel 35 with which a Geneva cam 36 is associated. Figure 4 shows these last two elements, it being understood that Geneva elements are considered 25 as constituting a star Wheel whose projecting members 35a are engaged by rollers 3Iia carried on the opposite ends of a two-armed lever 36h, whereby rotation of this lever causes the wheel to gradually accelerate and decelerate,whi1e it holds 30 the use of the clutches 24 and 25, as long as the 35 cam 36 holds the wheel 35 stationary, since this holds the epicyclic train I3 stationary, the latter being that part of the planetary gearing whose rotative state determines the transmission of power from the rotary power source or motor I0. 40

A gear 31 is keyed to the shaft II and meshes with a gear 38 which is connected to a gear 39 which, in turn, meshes with a gear 40. The latter gear freely rotates on a shaft 4I to which it may be coupled through the medium of a clutch 42. This shaft 4I carries the cam 36, and it follows that rotation of this shaft upon operation of the clutch 42 will cause rotation of the epicyclic train I3, the arrangement being such that the latter is then rotated at a speed sumcient to prevent transmission of power to the shaft I6.

The clutch 42 includes an operating member 43 that is fixed to a reciprocative rod 44, the clutch and the member 43 being constructed and arranged so that reciprocation of the rod 44 towards 55 either of its extremes will couple the vgear 46 to the shaft 4| while they will permit the gear 46 to rotate free of the shaft 4| when they area't a middle position. Springs 45 are provided to urge the member 43 and rod 44 to this middle position.

A threaded shaft 46 is arranged parallel to the rod 44 and is in threaded engagement with an arm 41 which has an end that rides the rod 44 between the member 43 and an abutment 44, the latter being adjustably fixed to the rod 44. It follows that rotation of the shaft 46 in either direction will cause the arm 41 to move into engagement with either the member 43 or abutment 44a, and that engagement with either will cause the gear 40 to be coupled to the shaft 4I. This shaft 46 is driven by the shaft 22 through a gear train 48.

'I'he shaft 26 is connected to the shaft 34 through a cam-and-lever arrangement 43 which is constructed and arranged to reciprocate'the shaft 26 sufliciently to alternately engage the clutches 24 and 25 upon half-turns of the shaft 34. That is to say, each time the shaft 34 turns a half revolution one of the clutches is engaged and the other disengaged, while when the shaft 34 turns another half'revolution the ilrstsclutch is disengaged and the other engaged. Gears 4ia and 34e interconnect the shafts 4i and 34 for dependent rotation. It is in this way that the reversing mechanism is controlled.

Operation of the mechanical devices which have been described so far is substantially as follows:

'I'he motor I0 rotates the shaft ii and the gear 40 and, assuming that the cam 36 is in a position which locks the epicyclic train i3 against revolving, a drive is eiected through the planetary gearing and to the rotary wire feeder by way oi' the reversing mechanism. The rotative direction of the wire feeder is dependent upon which one of the clutches 24 and 25 are engaged. As rotation of the rotary wire feeder proceeds, the gear train 48 rotates the shaft 46 until the arm 4l contacts either the member 43 or the abutment 44e. This effects reciprocation of the rod 44 and the member 43 so that the gear 46 is coupled to the shaft 4I, which then rotates the cam 36.

The cam 36 then eects acceleration and de-u celeration of the wheel 35 to and from a rotative speed sumcient to cause the epicyclic train it to revolve at a speed sumcient to prevent the transmission of power from the shaft ii to the shaft it, the rotary wire feeder therefore momentarily stopping. l

Rotation of the shaft 4i also enects rotation of the shaft 34 which, in turn; enects rotation of the shaft 26 by way of the cam-andlever are rangement 49. Since the various gears and their reversing mechanisms are at rest at this time, this reversing action is eected without material Wear on either of the clutches involved. This camand-lever arrangement 43 is so associated with the shaft 34 that operation of the reversing mechanism is eected at the time the wheel 35 is rotating at its maximum speedor, in other words, precisely at the time that the rotary wire feeder is at a standstill. Deceleration of the wheel @d causes accelerationv of the feeder, hence rotation of the shaft 46 and consequently the release oi' the clutch 42, the parts being arranged to eect this tobring the cam 36 to locking position. The various parts thus effect a periodically reversing drive for the feeder. l

As previously mentioned, a machine of the character described ordinarily includes a puller.

for pulling the wires from the rotary wire feeder through the die 6, this puller consisting of the draw-ofi' drum l.

` The mechanical devices for powering the drawoii' drum will now be described: 5 The shaft I6 is keyed to the planet gear 50 of a planetary gearing whose epicyclic' train 5| is mounted in a cage 52 which circumferentially carries a ring gear 53 that meshes with a pinion 64. AThe latter pinion is keyed to a shaft 55 which connects with the draw-off drum l through a suitable gear train' 56. The other planet gear 5l of this planetary gearing is keyed to a shaft 58 which is also keyed to the planet gear 59 of another planetary gearing. 'I'he epicyclie train 60 15 of this other planetary gearing is mounted in a cage 6l which is kept from rotation by a lever 62, the latter being held by means of an articulated crank 63 having an adjustable ,connecting pin 63a and which is keyed to the shaft 46. A rod 62* interconnects this lever and crank.

The other planet gear 64 of this other planetary gearing is keyed to a shaft 65 which is connected to a second Geneva wheel 66 through gearing 81. This second Geneva wheel isengaged by a Geneva cam 68 that is connected to the shaft 34 by way of gearing 69. It is to be noted that the two last described planetary gearings are arranged in tandem so that control of the proper part of each will effect the control of the transmission of power from the shaft 34, which may be considered as a rotary power source, to the draw-off drum or puller 1.

The operation of the additional mechanical devices now described is as follows:

As long as the rotary wire feeder is rotating at full speed in either direction, the shaft 46 will be rotated and the shaft 34 will be stationary. 'I'he arrangement of the cam 66 is such that it will lock the wheel 66 against movement at this time so that the planet gear 51 will also be locked against free rotation. Therefore, the gear j53 will revolve so as to drive the shaft 55 and therefore the draw-oil' drum l.

As soon as'the wheel 35 revolves so as to effect stoppage of the rotary wire feeder, the shaft 34 will start to revolve. lihe arrangement of the various parts is such that the cam 63 starts to revolve at a time when the wheel 35 is rotated at its maximum speed, and when the rotary wire feeder is therefore at a standstill. Rotation of this cani @e causes the wheel 66 to accelerate and decelerate to and from a speed'sumcient to rotate the planet gear 5l to' a speed sufficient to pre-f vent "the transmission of power through the 55 planetary gearing driving the ring gear 53, and the drawoff drum 'el consequently ceases to rotate. Furthermore, the arrangement is such that the cam d@ comes to rest in a locking position respecting the wheel ed as soon as the cam 36 comes to 60 rest in `a similar position respecting the wheel 35.'

It is apparent that deceleration and acceleration of the drawwoif drum l is accomplished during the same period and by the same mechanism as the deceleration and acceleration of the rotary 5 wire feeder and, furthermore, that the ratio of. travel of the wires through the die would be con# stent throughout this period were it not for the 1 action of the second Geneva wheel 66 and the 70 gearing 56, ed, ed, and el which can bearrangedl to permit a momentary loss of rotation of the draw-0E drum l beginning at the instant the rotary wire feeder is motionless and continuing through suicient acceleration of the rotary wire 75 from the rotary wire feeder through the die by the puller. This is necessary to prevent vuntwisting or unlaying of the wires during reversals of the rotary wire feeder.

It is now apparent that the machine is capable of producing a strand having a lay which reverses at definite intervals. The spacing of the reversals along the strand are, of course, determined by the ratios of the various gearings described, these being variable by substitution to suit-the demands of the product. In case it is desired to form a strand of regular lay, the gear 31 may be keyed to the shaft I I'through the m'edium of a clutch ila. ,When this clutch is disengaged and the arm H1 is disengaged with the shaft .46, the various devices controlling the reversing mechanism and the planetary gearing that controls the drum 'I will be inoperative.

Continuing with the operation:

During the rotation of the rotary wire feeder in either direction the shaft 46 is rotated in one direction or another. Since this shaft 46 is connected to the arm 62 which locks the. cage .BI of the planetary gearing associated therewith against rotation, through the medium of .the articulated crank 63, the cage 6I will be slowly oscillated back and forth. The extent of this oscillation will depend upon the setting of the adjustable pin 63B. Since this oscillatory movement effects the epicyclic train 60,'it is apparent that the rotaryspeed of the power transmitted will also oscillate. This means that the speed of the draw-ofi' drum 1 will oscillate so that the pitch ofthe lay of the strand being formed by the wires intertwisting in the die 1 will also vary. Thus, the machine is able to produce not only a strand that is of regular lay or reverse lay, -but can produce a strand having a lay that gradually alternates from a long to a short pitch. 'Ihis type of strand has certain advantages in connection with its splicing, and forms the subject matter of a separate patent application.

Furthermore, it is to be noted that the machine can produce a strand having a lay of uniform pitch simply by placing the connecting pin 63B at the center oi the articulated4 crank ,63, in which case the cage 6i will be heid stationary at all times so thatthe rotative speed of the power being transmitted through the associated planetary gearing does not vary.

To remove the bend in the strands being formed by the particular shape of the pass in the die I. straightening rolls 10 are arranged between the die 6 and the draw-oir drum 1. .These straightening rolls may be of any suitable design. The particular design illustrated is covered by a separate application.

I claim:

41. In a wire stranding machine, the combination of a die, a rotary wire feeder associated with said die, a periodically reversing drive for said feeder and means for pulling wires from said feeder throughsaid die, the latter having a pass shaped to bend said wires beyond their elastic' lirnit as they' are pulled therethrough.

2. In a wire stranding machine, the combination of a die, a rotary wire feeder associated with said die. a reversing mechanism associated with said feeder, planetary gearing arranged to connect a rotary power source to said mechanism,

means for normally restraining rotation of a part of said gearing so as to permit the transmission of power from said source to said mechanism and for periodically rotating said part at a speed suihcient to prevent said transmission, means responsive to operation of the first named means for controlling said reversing mechanism, and means for pulling wires from said feeder through said die.

3. In a wire stranding machine, the combination of a die, a rotary wire feeder associated with said die, a periodically reversing drive for said feeder, a rotary puller arranged to pull wires from said feeder through said die, planetary gearing arranged to connect a rotary power source to said puller, means responsive to reversals of said drive for normally restraining rotation of a part'of said gearing so as to permit the transmission of power from said power source to said puller and for rotating said part at a speed sul'- cient to prevent said transmission at least during said reversals.

4. In a wire stranding machine, the combination ofa die, a rotary wire feeder associated with said die, a drive for said feeder, a rotary pullerarranged to pull wires from said feeder through said die, planetary gearing arranged to connect a rotary power source to said puller, and means for oscillating a part of said gearing so that the rotative speed of power transmitted to said puller from said source is oscillatory.

5. In a wire stranding machine, the combina# tion cfa die, a rotary wire feeder associated with saiddie, a reversing .mechanism associated with said feeder. planetary gearing arranged to con- 3 nect a rotary power source to said mechanism, a Geneva wheel arranged to control the rotation of a part ,of said gearing whose rotative state determines the transmission of power from said source to'said mechanism, a Geneva cam as'sociated with said wheel, means for periodically rotating said cam at a speed sufficient to cause said wheel to accelerate and decelerate said part to and from a rotative speed sufficient to prevent said transmission, means responsive to rotation 0i said cam for controlling said reversing mechanism and means for pulling wires from said feeder through said die.

6. In a wire stranding machine, the combination of a die, a rotary wire feeder associated with said die, a periodically reversing drive for said feeder, a rotary puller arranged to pull wires from said feeder through said die. planetary gearing arranged torconnect a rotary power source to said puller, a Geneva wheel arranged to control a part of said gearing whose rotative state determines the transmission of power from said source to said puller, a Geneva camv associated with said wheel. and means responsive to reversals of said drive for rotating said cam at a speed suflicient to cause said Wheel to accelerate and decelerate said part to and from a rotative speed sufficient to prevent said transmission.

'1. In a wire stranding machine, the combination'of a die, a rotary wire feeder associated with said die, a reversing mechanism associated with said feeder, planetary gearing arranged to `con neet a rotary power source to said mechanism, a Geneva wheel arranged to control the rotation of a part of said gearing whose rotative state determines the transmission of power from said source to said mechanism, a Geneva cam associated with said wheel, means for periodically rotating said cam at a speed sumcient to cause ltrol the rotation of a said wheel to accelerate and decelerate said part to and from a rotative speed sumcient to prevent said transmission, means responsive to rotation of said cam for controlling said reversing mechanism, a rotary from said feeder through said die, planetary gearing arranged to connect a rotary power source to said puller, a Geneva wheel arranged to conpart of the second named gearing whose rotativev state determines the transmission of power from the second named source to said puller, a Geneva cam associated with the second named wheel, and means for rendering responsive the vsecond named camto the first named cam so that rotation of the latter causes rotation of the second named cam at a speed suicient to cause the second named wheel to accelerate and decelerate the second named part to and from a rotative speedy sufficient to prevent the second named transmission.

tion of a die, a rotary wire feeder associated with said die, a reversing mechanism associated with said feeder, planetary gearing arranged to connect a rotary power source to said mechanism, a Geneva wheel arranged to control the rotation of a part of said gearing whose rotative state determines the transmission of power from said source to said mechanism, a Geneva cam associated with said wheel, means for periodically rotating said cam at a speed suicient to cause said wheel to accelerate and decelerate Said part to and from a rotative speed suflicient to prevent said transmission, means responsive to rotation of said cam for controlling said reversing mechanism, a rotary puller arranged to pull wires from said feeder through said die. planetary gearing arranged to connect a rotary power source to said puller, a Geneva wheel arranged to control the rotation of a. part of the Asecond named gearing whose rotative state determines the transmission of power from the second named source to said puller. a Geneva cam associated with the second named wheel, and means for rendering responsive the second named cam to the rst named cam so that rotation of the latter causes rotation of the second named cam ata speed suilicient to cause the second named wheel to accelerate and decelerate the second named' part to and from a rotative speed suicient to prevent the second named transmission, the last named means being So timed that the second named cam starts to so rotate the second named wheel at the time the puller arranged to pull wires 8. In a wire stranding machine, the comhinay rst named cam is rotating the rst named wheel at its maximum speed, and said die having a pass Shaped to bend said wires beyond their elastic limit.

9. In a wire stranding machine, the combination of a die, a rotary wire feeder associated with said die, a reversing mechanism associated with said feeder, planetary gearing arranged to connect a rotary power source to said mechanism, a Geneva wheel arranged to control the rotation of a part of said gearing whose rotative state determines the transmission of power from said source to said mechanism, a Geneva cam associated with said wheel, means for periodically rotating said cam at a speed suicient to cause said'wheel to accelerate and decelerate said part to and from a rotative speed suflcient to prevent said transmission, means responsive to rotation of said cam for controlling said reversing mechanism, a rotary puller arranged to pull Wires from said feeder through said die, planetary gearing arranged to connect a rotary power source to said puller, a Geneva wheel arranged to control the rotation of a part of the second named gearing whose rotative state determines the transmission of power from the second named source to said puller, a Geneva cam associated with the second named wheel, means for rendering responsive the second named cam to the rst named cam so that rotation of the latter causes rotation of thel second named camat a speed sucient to cause the second named wheel to accelerate and decelerate the second named part to and from a rotative speed sumcient to prevent the second named transmission, the last named means being so timed that the second named cam starts to so rotate the second named wheel at the time the rst named cam is rotating the iirst named wheel at its maximum speed, said die having a pass shaped Ato bend said wires beyond their elastic limit, another planetary gearing arranged to connect vthe second named source to said puller, the second and third named gearings being arrangedin tandem, and means for oscillating a part of the third named gearing so that the rotative speed of power transmitted from the second named source to said puller is oscillatory.

1 0. In a wire stranding machine, the combination of a die, means for rotating wires and directing them through said die, a puller arranged to pull wires through said die and driving means for said puller adapted to drive the same at a periodically varying rate. f

GUY GILBERT GREENE. 

